Like it or not, nonprofits are the glue holding our community together. The recently proposed (and failed) H.R. 9495 nearly gutted the 578 active organizations serving Ulster County. The proposal would have given the Department of the Treasury sole authority, without due process, to designate any group as a “terrorist-supporting organization.” In so doing, targeted organizations would lose their tax-exempt status – and likely – the ability to deliver their mission.

To be clear. Shuttering nonprofits would sacrifice your neighbors. The 1 in 10 who are hungry. The 16% of children growing up in poverty – of which 588 are homeless. The 1 in 4 women experiencing domestic violence. Do we accept denying so many the support needed to survive?

Beyond survival, imagine our community without arts and culture. Most places you see concerts (Bardavon, UPAC) or discover local history (Friends of Historic Kingston, Maritime Museum, Reher Center) are nonprofits. Imagine losing the natural wonders of our region, protected by Scenic Hudson (53,000 acres) or Mohonk Preserve (8,000 acres).

In addition to these services, the nonprofit sector is the region’s largest non-government employer. A report commissioned by the Hudson Valley Funders Network, shows ~140,000 people working in nonprofits. That’s 12x the workers in the information industry, 9x the real estate industry, 5x the financial and insurance industry, 3x manufacturing and administrative and waste services, and 2x construction and accommodation and food services. In 2018 they generated over $16 billion in revenues, held over $24 billion in assets, and paid more than $7.4 billion in wages.

We rely on nonprofits to make life better. Last week, they were placed on the chopping block – with Representative Ryan's approval. It’s already been re-introduced, and I hope everyone will join me in demanding our representatives vote AGAINST such legislation – and FOR our community.

Jackie Lieske

Kingston